Direct action keypunch



June 3, 1947. N. s. WELK El" AL DIRECT ACTION KEYPUNCH Filed April 21, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F'IEJ- F IE INVENTORS NELJON 6. WELK CHARLEJ 0. (AAPENTEZ June 3, 1947. s, w r AL 2,421,531

DIRECT ACTION KEYPUNCH Filed April 21, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F15. El

IN 10x5 so/v Wu By 671M455 0. CARPENTEE NEL MMMAWW ATWEMFYJ Patented June 3, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DIRECT ACTION KEYPUNCH Nelson S. Welk and Charles 0. Carpenter, Athens, Ohio, assignors to The McBee Company, Athens, Ohio, a corporation Application April 21, 1945, Serial No. 589,517

6 Claims. 164-112) This invention relates to machines for punching or notching the marginal edges of cards, checks and the like.

It is the principal object of our present invention to provide an improved punching or notching apparatus of the character referred to which is of the key operated type, and in which the operation of a selected key bothindexes and ac-- tuates the punching mechanism to effect punching or notching of a card, check or the like.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a machine of the character referred to which is simple in construction and which may be inexpensively produced, and which will be efilcient in operation.

One form which the' invention may assume is exemplifiedin the following description and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view taken on line l--l of Fig. 4, and showing the parts of the slotting mechanism in the position they assume when a selected key has been depressed.

Fig. 2 is a. similar sectional view, showing the parts of the slotting mechanism in normal position.

' Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the type of card to be operated upon by a machine such 'as here disclosed.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the machine with parts broken away to more clearly disclose certain features of construction.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken through the machine on line 55 of Fig. 2;

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, l0 indicates a portable punching or notching machine for perforating or notching the marginal edges of cards, checks and the like at predetermined points along the marginal edge thereof. The type of cards or checks or other paper formswhich are adapted to be punched or slotted by the device here disclosed are of the general type disclosed in United States patent to T. C. Andrews No. 2,181,165, dated November 28, 1939, and A. Perkins No. 1,544,172, dated June 30, 1925.

In general, cards or checks of that type are provided with a series of perforations adjacent one or more edges of the card. These perforations struction permits one to pass a slotting device or needle through the perforations and on manipulating the needle, the cards which have not been slotted through at the selected perforation will remain on the needle, while those which have been slotted will detach from the needle. The perforations are, of course, evenly spaced apart along the edge of the card, and it is the purpose of the present machine to enable the slotting or punching of the cards from the perforation through the edge of the card to be accomplished by a keyboard type of machine.

In general, the machine comprises a frame structure which includes end frame members H, a casing l2 and end cover plates [4. The casing I2 is formed with a substantially horizontal key-.

board l5 projecting upwardly from which are the keys I6. These keys are arranged in groups from right to left, each group comprising keys of the numbers I, 2, 4 and 1 and corresponding with a. field of similarly numbered perforations I! on the card or check to be slotted, as illustrated in Fig. 3. When the card is correctly positioned in the machine, depression of the first group of keys on the right will slot the corresponding field of perforations H at the right end of the card or check, and the depression of the second group of keys on the keyboard will similarly slot the next succeeding field on the card.

Arranged longitudinally and fixed to the end members I I thereof is a rigid matrix bar l8 which is provided with a longitudinal card receiving slot IQ for the reception of the card. This slot extends downwardly from the upper surface of the matrix bar, as illustrated. The casing l2 of the machine is provided with a longitudinal slot 20 registering with and overlying the slot IS in the matrix bar and is so formed as to constitute a guide to enable a card or check to be inserted edgewise downwardly through the easing into the slot IQ of the matrix bar I8.

An aligning member 2| is fixed on the matrix bar adjacent the right-hand end thereof and provides means for properly registering or aligning the card or check in the machine with respect to the slotting means. That is to say, when the check or card is inserted into the slot l9, through the guide opening 20, its right-hand edge is abutted against the aligning member 2| and thus the card is properly positioned with respect to the punching or slotting means so that operation of the latter will correctly slot or notch the card or check in register with the proper perforation or perforations I! of the card.

The matrix bar I8 is' formed with a plurality perforations I! of a card or check inserted into the machine for slotting or notching. That is to say there is one female die socket 22 for each perforation along the edge of the, card and in register therewith. The upper edge 22 of eachdie socket 22 is at anelevation above the lower end of the card receiving slot l9 sumciently so that the upper edges of the sockets 22 are at the center line of the perforations II when a card or check i inserted into the card receiving slot IS. The width of each of the sockets 22 corresponds to the diameter of the perforations l1.

Pivotally mounted within each socket for oscillation in a plane transversely'oi' the matrix bar i8 is a male die member 24, which male die members are independently pivoted on a pivot rod 25 which extends longitudinally through the matrix bar l8. At its upper end and extending radially from each male die member is a projecting slotting die 26, which is integrally formed with the male die member 24. The side edges of this slotting die 26 are in shearing relationship with the adjacent sides of the female die socket 22. The shearing edges of the slotting die 26 are tangential with respect to the pivotal axis of the male die member 24 so that a shearing action results.

The male die member has an operating arm 21 extending radially therefrom in a direction substantially opposite the direction of extension of the slotting die 26 thereon. This operating arm is embraced by a yoke 28 connected by a tension spring 29 to the frame of the machine and constantly urges the male die member 24 to a position unobstructing the card receiving slot l9 by positioning the slotting die 28 to one side of that slot.

As before stated, one key I6 is associated with and operatively connected to each male die member 24. Each key I is fixed at the upper end of a key lever 30. This key lever has a vertically extending portion 3| and is rightangularly bent to provide a horizontally extending portion 32. The vertical portion 3| is guided in a slot 33 in the keyboard l5 for reciprocation therethrough. The horizontal portion 32 of the key lever is pivoted as at 34 to one leg of a crank arm 35, whichfcrank arms are freely pivotal on a longitudinal rod 36 extending between the frame members ll of the frame. The other leg of the crank arm 35 projects into the yoke 28 so that it will be operatively associated with the operating arm 21 of the male die 24. Obviously, when the key I6 is depressed, the vertical portion of the key lever 3| will move downwardly, depressing the connected end of the crank arm 35 and swinging the opposite leg of the crank arm in the directions of the arrows in Figs. 1 and .2. This movement will be imparted to the operating arm 21, turning the male die 24 about the pivot rod 25 and causing the slotting or notching die 26 thereof to notch the card which has been inserted in the card receiving slot I9. The swinging movement of the operating arm of the male die so operated will be limited by a stop rod 31 extending longitudinally between the end frames II. The cuttings will be deposited on an apron 38 formed by an inturned section of the rear wall of the housing.

as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, a discharge slot 3 9 being formed between this apron and the upper portion of the rear wall of the housing to matrix bar, said matrix bar having a plurality enable machin It is thus seen from the foregoing that a direct slotting or punching action is provided wherein depression 01 a selected key eifects direct slotting or punching of a card or sheetinserted in the machine.

While we have shown the preferred form of our invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent '1. In a machine of the character described, a

of die sockets formed transversely therethrough, said matrix bar having card receiving means for receiving and positioning a card in correct position relative to said sockets, a male die member pivotally mounted in each socket for cooperation therewith to punch a card or sheet disposed for punching in said matrix bar, and an individual and separately operated key for each of the said male die members, operation of which key actuates the male die member.

2. In a machine of the character described, a fixed longitudinally disposed matrix bar, said matrix bar having a plurality of die sockets formed laterally thereof, said matrix bar having a longitudinal slot formed longitudinally thereof and extending inwardly thereof from its upper surface for receiving and positioning a card for punching relative to said die sockets, a male die member pivotally mounted in each die socket for cooperation therewith in punching a card positioned in said matrix bar, spring mean normally maintaining said male die members in an ineffective position, a key associated with each male die member, and lever means connecting said key with its respective die member whereby operation of the key will actuate the die mem-' ber.

3. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a matrix bar extending horizontally of the frame and fixed therein, said matrix bar having a plurality of die sockets formed transversely therein, said matrix bar being formed with a card receiving slot extending longitudinally thereof and inwardly from its upper surface, said slot being adapted to receive a card and position the same with respect to the sockets for punching, a male die member pivotally mounted in each socket for cooperation therewith in punching a card positioned for punching, a keyboard on the frame, a key projecting upwardly from said board for each male die member,

lever means connecting each key with'its respective die member whereby depression of the key will actuate the respective die member to effect a punching operation, and spring means for returning the die member and the key to normal position upon release of the key.

4. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a matrix bar extending horizontally of the frame and fixed therein, said matrix bar having a plurality of die sockets formed transversely therein, said matrix bar being formed with a card receiving slot extending longitudinally thereof and inwardly from its upper surface, said slot being adapted to receive a card and position the same with respect to the sockets for punching, a male die member pivotally mounted in each socket for cooperation therethe cuttings to be discharged from the e.

with in punching a card positioned for punching, a keyboard on the frame, a key projecting upwardly from said board for each male die member, lever means connecting each key with its respective die member whereby depression of the key will actuate the respective die member to effect a punching operation, spring means for returning the die member and the key to normal position upon release of the key, a casing for enclosing the matrix bar and the punching mechanism, said casing having a guide slot formed therein overlying the matrix bar in register with the card receiving slot therein, and means on said casing for receiving the punchings and discharging them from within the casing.

5. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a matrix bar extending horizontally of the frame and fixed therein, said matrix bar having a plurality of die sockets formed transversely therein, said matrix bar being formed with a card receiving slot extending longitudinally thereof and inwardly from its upper surface, said slot being adapted to receive a card and position the same with respect to the sockets for punching, a pivot rod extending longitudinally through the matrix bar, a male die member in each socket and pivoted on said rod for punching, a keyboard on the frame, a key projecting upwardly through said keyboard for each male die member, a lever for each key and male die, said lever being pivoted intermediate its ends to the frameand having one endconnected with the key and the other end operatively engaging the male die whereby depression of the key will cause pivoting of the said male die member in its socket to effect a punching operation, a stop member extending horizontally of the frame positioned so as to limit the pivotal movement of said male die members and spring means for returning the male die member and associated lever and key to normal position upon release of the key. v V

6. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a matrix bar extending horizontally of the frame and fixed therein, said matrix bar having a plurality of die sockets formed transversely therein, said matrix bar being formed with a card receiving slot extending longitudinally thereof and inwardly from its upper surface, said slot being adapted to receive a card and position the same with respect to the sockets for punching, a pivot rod extending longitudinally through the matrix bar, a male die member in each socket and pivoted on said rod. for punching,'a keyboard on the frame, a key projecting upwardly through said keyboard for each male die member, a lever for each key and male die, said lever being pivoted intermediate its ends to the frame and having one end connected with the key and the other end operatively engaging the male die whereby depression of the key will cause pivoting of the said male die member in its socket to effect a punching operation, a stop member extending horizontally of the frame positioned so as to limit the pivotal movement of said male die members, spring means for returning the male die member and associated lever and key to normal position upon release of the key, and a casing for enclosing the matrix bar and the punching mechanism, said casing having a guide slot formed therein overlying the matrix bar in register with the card receiving slot therein, and means on said casing for receiving the punchings and discharging them from within the casing.

NELSON S. WELK. CHARLES O. CARPENTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number A Name Date 1,994,315 Keef Mar. 12, 1935 2,041,085 Nevin May 19, 1936 2,062,155 Welk-Nevin Nov. 24, 1936 2,233,662 Bester et a1 Mar. 4, 1941 2,342,361 Niclas Feb. 22, 1944 2,342,516 Nevin Feb. 22, 1944 

